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Pope Francis responding well to treatment, Vatican says Pope Francis thanks medical staff for 'miracle of tenderness'
(about 20 hours later)
Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia and bronchitis for more than three weeks, has shown a "good response" to treatment, the Vatican has said. Pope Francis thanked medical workers for the "miracle of tenderness" they offer the sick
Pope Francis has issued a statement from his hospital bed thanking medical workers caring for him and others who are unwell.
"While I am here, I think of the many people who are.. close to the sick," he said, describing them as "bringing a little light into the night of pain".
The pontiff has been battling pneumonia and bronchitis for more than three weeks in hospital, but has shown a slight improvement in recent days says the Vatican.
The Vatican said on Saturday the Pope had shown a "good response" to his treatment at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
"The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, indicates a good response to the treatment," the Vatican said."The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, indicates a good response to the treatment," the Vatican said.
"There is therefore a gradual, slight improvement", it added."There is therefore a gradual, slight improvement", it added.
The 88-year-old prayed on Saturday morning in the chapel of the papal suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated. For the fourth consecutive Sunday, the Argentine Pontiff was not present for his weekly blessing, but the Vatican shared the text he had prepared.
The Argentine pontiff has not been seen in public since entering the hospital, his longest stretch away from the public eye since his papacy began 12 years ago. Francis spoke of his "prolonged hospitalisation" during which he had experienced "thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and health care workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart."
He was admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties - and first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. "I think of the many people who in various ways are close to the sick, and who are for them a sign of the Lord's presence.
"We need this, the 'miracle of tenderness' which accompanies those who are in adversity, bringing a little light into the night of pain."
On Saturday morning the 88-year-old prayed in the chapel of the papal suite at Gemelli Hospital where he is being treated, the Vatican said.
The pope has not been seen in public since entering the hospital on 14 February, his longest stretch away from the public eye since his papacy began 12 years ago.
He was admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties - and first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
He is particularly vulnerable to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – as a young man and had a partial lung removal.He is particularly vulnerable to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – as a young man and had a partial lung removal.
The Pope's doctors believe he is likely to face a long road to recovery, due to his age and medical history.The Pope's doctors believe he is likely to face a long road to recovery, due to his age and medical history.